thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=4 | 😘=4 | 🤬=1 | 16+

summary: a series of short stories set after Pride and Prejudice where the characters detail what “crimes” they have committed.

thoughts: whether or not I agreed with every character interpretation (though many of them were very good), this was wildly entertaining at every turn. I didn’t love Mr. Bennet’s or Charlotte Lucas’s stories, but the others were for the most part very clever and fun. there were also progressively racy plot lines, but like in a very culturally grounded way, which tbh I think Austen would have appreciated, though it does mean that some of the stories (Mr. Collins’s, Mary Bennet’s, and especially Caroline Bingley’s) are not exactly appropriate for a younger audience. anyway! this is fun!

Crime and Prejudice is a well written collection of short stories from the perspectives of several of the characters at various times after the end of Pride and Prejudice.

The stories all captured the mannerisms and complexities of each character, and their crimes all felt believable.

This is a book I would definitely recommend if you enjoy Pride and Prejudice and want an insight into how characters' lives may have progressed.

Thoroughly Enjoyable, Wicked, and Delightful
A wish gripping read !
it is wickedly funny and delightful! I wore a smile from start to finish.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this novel - a fun collection of short stories imagining the criminal activities of the characters of Pride and Prejudice.

I enjoyed some of the short stories more than others, and appreciated the close attention paid by the author to historical accuracy for the crimes and their punishments!

If you’re a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice, you might find this a little hard to get on with as I found that most of the characters didn’t match up with the characterisations found in the original book, but it is a fun and easy read. I found the writing a little disjointed at times.

I’m unsure if I would give this two or three stars, but have settled on three.

I love these short stories within the world created by Jane Austen. Short stories from the perspectives of various characters from Pride and Prejudice. Always interesting exploration of the inner lives of various characters.

This is a well written anthology of twelve short stories I think any fan of Jane Austen would enjoy if they're willing to suspend their disbelief. The situations the characters find themselves in are unique and outside the norm, but their original personalities do still shine through for the most part. The crimes include causing a riot, involvement in a shooting, arson, running a house of ill repute, and thievery. I found the writing of these stories to be smart and humorous and true to Austen's world. It had to be thoroughly researched to result in such believable stories. It's been years since I read Pride and Prejudice, but it'll be back on my TBR list after this.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this travel into the Jane Austen's world and meeting her characters in humorous or new moments. This antology of short stories is well written. I had a lot of fun reading it.

Okay, so imagine Pride and Prejudice meets crime drama—and not the "gentle misunderstandings" kind of crime. We’re talking arson, poisoning, highway robbery, and even a riot stirred up by Elizabeth Darcy herself. 🤯 Julia L. Miller really went, “What if Austen, but make it spicy?” And honestly, I’m here for it.

The book is a collection of 12 short stories, each diving into the not-so-proper lives of Austen’s beloved characters. Mr. Bennet as a poisoner? Caroline Bingley finding forbidden love? Mr. Darcy and that famous wet shirt moment... but make it criminal? It's chaotic, cheeky, and a little subversive while still feeling true to Austen’s vibe.

What I loved most: these stories feel like a wink to Austen fans. They don’t just stay faithful to her sharp wit—they run wild with it. The characters are flawed (aren’t we all?), and seeing them navigate crime alongside societal pressures of Regency England is just chef’s kiss. Plus, the sly commentary on women’s limitations of the time? Perfect. 👏

Why not 5 stars, you ask? A few stories felt a little rushed, but hey, short stories sometimes do that. It’s a small gripe in a book that made me laugh, gasp, and occasionally say, “Oh no, she didn’t!” Spoiler: she did. 😏

If you’re a Jane Austen fan—or just someone who loves their classics shaken up with a little chaos—Crime and Prejudice will not disappoint. Go ahead, let Elizabeth Darcy and the gang pull you into their criminally good adventures.

⭐Book Review: Crime and Prejudice by Julia L. Miller⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Julia L. Miller for this ARC!

Julia L. Miller’s Crime and Prejudice is a delightful collection of quirky, loosely connected short stories that reimagine the world of Pride and Prejudice. Fans of Jane Austen will find themselves in an alternate reality where their favourite characters act scandalously! Each story feels like a playful confession letter, allowing minor characters to shine while exploring fresh “what-if” scenarios.

Miller skillfully captures many of Austen’s original personalities and tendencies, though some voices feel uneven across stories or diverge from canon. That said, the writing is clever, often laugh-out-loud funny, and the scandals and absurdities are thoroughly entertaining.

Some stories had me cringing, while others left me laughing out loud!I’d recommend this book to Jane Austen fans who love “what-if” spinoffs, particularly those who enjoy seeing lesser-known characters step into the spotlight. With its mix of humour, scandal, and clever reinterpretations, Crime and Prejudice is a solid 4-star read. I was able to read a copy through NetGalley and hope others find it as hilariously entertaining as I did!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crime and Prejudice by Julia L. Miller gives us a glimpse into the real world behind Jane Austens stories.
It's a very easy read that deepened my forgotten appreciation for Jane Austen.
It gave me a whole new twist on the story I read in my teens and had long left on a shelf collecting dust.
Seeing characters that are familiar but in different situations was really something special.
I look forward to seeing what Julia writes next and if she will possibly make this into a series of reimagined/behind the scenes classics.

I know this book is obviously going to draw in Austen fans, but I believe this book would be great for fans of many other genres.
If you are a fan of history, crime or culture this book would also be great for you!


Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Julia L. Miller for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

A well done and highly entertaining anthology of short stories that made me travel to Austen world and meet her characters in humorous or new moments.
Well written, a lot of fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoy Pride and Prejudice vagaries and variations, so I was really excited to read this one. This is a collection of short stories of Pride and Prejudice characters doing some sort of forbidden or criminal activity, so it was an ideal quick read for me. The premise is really interesting, although I do feel that some characters acted against how I thought they would act. Still, I really enjoyed the some stories (Mr. Bennet’s, Jane’s, and Mr, Darcy’s), and especially for Mr. Bennet, I would want to read more.

I was so apprehensive about reading this because Pride And Prejudice variations are a hit or miss for me. And I honestly did not enjoy the first chapter. But as I kept on reading, and started to appreciate how clever and hilarious these stories are; they took the subtly described characteristics of Jane Austen’s timeless characters and spins criminally delightful, and often shocking tales around them… I mean Mary Bennett; I was clutching the pearls! And Mr. Collins’ chapter had me in stitches.
I highly recommend this book and would read what Julia L. Miller puts out in the future.

If you’re a Jane Austen fan, this book is an absolute treat! Presented as a series of confession letters, it perfectly captures the wit, charm, and eccentricities of Austen’s characters. The humor is both clever and uproarious, with the characters’ scandals and misunderstandings making for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Miller does an excellent job of staying true to Austen’s world while adding a fresh, comedic twist. I found myself hooked from start to finish, and by the end, I was hoping for more. A delightful read that will leave you smiling!

A fun little look into the criminal lives of the well-known characters from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'.

As with many short story collections, there were some stories I enjoyed very much, and some I just found okay. And as with any story borrowing characters from a beloved classic, there were some characters I found very much matched my image of them, and others I felt very out of character.

All said, I had a fun time reading and would recommend to anyone who enjoys silly "what if" scenarios of classic characters.

This was such a good book. I absolutely enjoyed it and look forward to reading other books by this author in the future. Great writing and wonderful storyline.

I liked that this book was composed of 12 shorter stories, it made it more interesting to read with different characters and plots. I have thought about delving into some Jane Austen, but never committed to it because they tend to be a little to long for my liking.

A series of loosely connected and quirky stories with your favorite P&P characters acting badly. A tongue-in-cheek read but don’t think too hard about canon personalities and details. Some were funny and some were downright cringy and some dark. It’s a little disjointed and the characters’s voices aren’t super consistent story to story or with what you expect from canon. Austen superfans might raise an eyebrow, but go in with a willingness to be suspend belief and be entertained.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
4 of 5
Recommend to Jane Austen fans who like what-ifs.
I love Austen, and am among many fans who enjoy reading the odd 'spin off' or 'what if' involving her characters. P&P does seem to be the fav book for this kind of 'fanfic'.
That being said, if you are one of us, you should enjoy this collection of short stories that imagine other interests for the most famous P&P characters. The voices of the characters are a bit uneven, but the writing is clever and it's a quick read - would be great to take along on a holiday plane/train/automobile trip. It was fun to see the author giving so many 'minor' characters their own voices and stories.
I appreciated that the ebook I received for review was nicely formatted and had easy to adjust reading settings (font size, etc.)
Caveats: If you've never read Pride and Prejudice, this book will make no sense to you. Mild suggestions of sexual situations.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you put a spin on any Jane Austen novel, it’s sure to sell. This one is a collection of short stories of characters from Pride and Prejudice ‘stooping’ to a life of crime. Rioting in the street, arson, petty theft and highway robbery are some examples.

I found this collection a little odd and disjointed from my experience of the characters. I’m not fully convinced they’re a true representation of the original characters. It may be a good tongue-in-cheek gift for the loose Jane Austen fan. But nothing about it held my interest.